About

Tom Matsumoto Elementary School is a public school serving students in transitional kindergarten through 6th grade in the Evergreen School District of San Jose, California.

Locate us

School Profile: CA Department of Education →
School Accountability Report Card (SARC) →
Annual School Plans (CSSP & SPSA) →

Principal's Message

Welcome to Tom Matsumoto Elementary School!

At Tom Matsumoto Elementary, we believe every child deserves a school experience that fosters academic growth, personal confidence, and a sense of belonging. Our dedicated staff, engaged families, and curious students work together to create a learning environment where each child is encouraged to reach their full potential.

We are Matsumoto Mustangs and we are a curious HERD! Our Mustangs are humble, equitable, resilient, and dependable. These values guide how we learn, how we lead, and how we treat one another everyday.

Matsumoto is proud to be recognized as both California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School. Our academic performance continues to reflect the high expectations we hold for all learners. Guided by California's Common Core State Standards, our instruction practices are rigorous, inclusive, and focused on developing critical thinking and real world problem solving skills.

In addition to strong core academics on literacy and social studies, our school places a strong emphasis on STEAM (Science , Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. Students engage in hands-on, inquiry based learning through classroom projects, robotics, coding, engineering design and art.

Learning at Matsumoto is further enriched through field trips, assemblies, and leadership opportunities. Programs like student council and classroom based initiatives help students to build character, voice and responsibility.

We also know that student success is deeply connected to strong family partnerships. Whether, you are volunteering in a classroom, joining PTA, serving on school committees, or supporting your child's learning at home, your involvement strengthens our entire school community.

As a principal, I am honored to serve this dynamic and diverse community of learners. Together, we will continue building a school culture where all students are seen, supported, and inspired to learn.

Welcome to the Matsumoto Mustang Community!

Mrs. Gokcen Ceran,

Principal, Tom Matsumoto Elementary.

School Vision Statement

Tom Matsumoto Elementary is a community that fosters empowered contributors to society through:

Critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance
Communication and collaboration
Empathy, respect, and mindfulness

We aspire to create an environment where students develop personal accountability while growing academically, socially, and emotionally.

School Mission Statement

As a community of unique individuals, the mission of Tom Matsumoto Elementary School is to ensure that each child will experience optimal social, emotional, academic and physical success through a challenging and progressive, 21st Century educational program in a safe, inclusive, and healthy learning environment.

School Name

Tom Matsumoto Elementary School, located in San Jose, is named in honor of longtime Evergreen School District Board member Tom Matsumoto (June 20, 1926 – July 10, 2012).

Tom spent his life farming, beginning with his brother in Ault, Colorado. He later grew crops along Homestead Road in Santa Clara and Aborn Road in San Jose. Dedicated to public service, he served on the Evergreen School District Board for 37 years. In recognition of his contributions, the school was named after him in 1999.

Community & School Profile

Tom Matsumoto Elementary School is located in the eastern foothills of San Jose, California, at the heart of the ever-expanding Silicon Valley. We serve an economically and ethnically diverse student population. Currently, 752 students are enrolled, representing a wide range of backgrounds:

0.8% African American
85% Asian
4.2% Filipino
3.9% Latino
4.2% White
1.9% Two or more races
19.3% English Language Learners (ELL)
4.3% Socioeconomically Disadvantaged (SED)
4.8% Students with Disabilities (SWD)

Built in 1998, Matsumoto is proud to be recognized as both a Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School. Our campus is a place where mutual respect and cultural richness are celebrated and fostered. We believe our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

As a collaborative learning community, we share a common purpose: to ensure that all students meet or exceed Common Core State Standards (CCSS). We maintain high expectations for academic success while promoting a growth mindset for all learners.

To support this philosophy, we focus on developing the Four Cs of 21st Century Learning:

Creativity
Collaboration
Communication
Critical Thinking

We welcome divergent thinking and are committed to using the most effective practices to meet the needs of our students, aligned with our district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

At Matsumoto, staff, families, and students work together to pursue excellence, not only in academics, but also in social and emotional development. We are proud of our safe and supportive campus, and we continue to take a systematic approach to ensure it remains a secure learning environment.

We are committed to providing a high-quality, inclusive education in a technologically rich and nurturing setting that prepares students for lifelong success.

School Recognition

National Blue Ribbon School
2004

A California Distinguished School
2023, 2018, 2014,
2010, 2006, 2002